Coming off a disappointing loss to the Buffalo Sabres, the Colorado Avalanche had a prime opportunity to bounce back against a struggling Predators squad in Ball Arena.
Coach Jared Bednar reunited his promising second line from the beginning of the season with freshly healthy Evan Rodrigues centering Val Nichushkin and Alex Newhook and bumped J.T. Compher up between Mikko Rantanen and Artturi Lehkonen, forming the closest top six lineup to Opening Night he’s had in months.
And... it worked great. Let’s get into it!
FIRST PERIOD
Shots and the bulk of the play were evenly split in the first, with both teams creating a couple of dangerous chances that through luck and positioning the goaltenders were able to shut down.